During a special retirement luncheon Monday, Parsons USD 503 recognize three retiring employees who have dedicated a combined 65 years to serving children in the district – Mike Adams, Diana Wintle and Penny Jacquinot.
Superintendent Lori Ray thanked each for their dedication and service and wished them luck in their retirement.
Mike Adams drove a bus for USD 503 for the past five years since they began operating transportation services in house. Prior to that he drove for Durham School Services in the Parsons school district for seven years.
Director of Transportation Rick Geifer said described Adams as a man of very few words, who was dedicated to his job, and always willing to help out taking on extra routes. Adams transported special needs students in the district for all five years he’s worked with Geifer.
“As I observed Mike do his job, I learned that the man of very few words is a caring and compassionate person,” Geifer said. “Mike, not only are the students in USD 503 going to miss you, but so am I, and all of us here in the Parsons school district. Thank you for being a great role model and thank you for being a great employee.”
Ray said when asked about his retirement plans, Adams said he plans to complete restoration of his ’66 Nova and will enjoy waking up whenever he wants. He said he will miss his co-workers but mostly he will miss watching the kids grow up. This year’s graduating class were first graders when he started driving for the district.
Wintle, a Tri-County employee, has been working in Parsons schools for 33 years as a para educator in the special education preschool classroom at Lincoln School. She as named para of the year when she hit her 25th year.
“I’ve known Diana a long time. Her kind nature and perpetual smile has been a beacon of positivity and warmth throughout her career,” Lincoln Principal Shelly Gardner said. “Diana’s love for children is seen in every aspect of her work. … Her dedication to the students she served is unparalleled, always willing to lend a hand and go above and beyond to ensure their success and wellbeing. Her presence at Lincoln has been a source if inspiration and comfort to both students and staff and her tireless efforts and genuine care has made our school a better place. Her absence will be deeply felt by all who have had the pleasure of knowing her.”
Ray, said after Wintle retires she plans to spend time with her family. She will be traveling to see her grandkids and watching them participate in school activities and sporting events.
When asked what she would miss about working for Parsons schools, Diana said she will miss the students and her co-workers. She will also miss getting to know so many awesome families in our community.
Jacquinot has worked in the district for 20 years as a Title teacher, and taught first grade, fifth grade and for years now second grade.
Garfield Principal Barney Ponitous said one of his daughter’s was in Jacquinot’s classroom, so he had the chance to see her through two separate lenses. He asked the audience packed into the cafeterias to raise their hands if they or a family member were in Mrs. Jacquinot’s class. Around half did so.
“When we look around here, we think of all the impact that Mrs. Jacuinot’s made. Thank you, absolutely. I like to think of that impact as a ripple in a pond and it just keeps going, and going, and going. The fact we’ve Mrs. Jacquinot, the blessing of having her in our building has just been amazing. Watching her work with our young staff, it’s just been remarkable. She does everything that a veteran teacher does and everything that you’d expect a new teacher to do as well, her enthusiasm, her building relationships with students, her high expectations. If you could design a teacher and put out a hundred of them and you put out a hundred Penny’s, you’d be well on your way to having a wonderful set of teachers.”
Jacquinot plans to spend lots of time with family in her retirement and do some traveling.
Ray said when asked what she will miss most about working for USD 503, Jacquinot said so many things. She will miss seeing the students’ growth from the first day of school to the last and the excitement of them being proud of themselves when they finally understand something. She will also miss the relationships she has formed with her colleagues.
“There has never been a time when I haven’t loved being at Garfield,” Jacquinot said. “It will forever hold a special place in my heart.”